The Overtaking: (The Overtaking Series)

Although I hate to say it, I was somewhat underwhelmed by this book. I had high hopes because Ive heard good things about Lieske, but I just never connected with this book. I read a lot of YA and enjoy fantasy and scifi, so I thought this book would be right up my alley, but I was never sucked into the story...never able to forget I was reading a book. You know how when youre reading a book that you really connect with, you can lose yourself in the story? I was never able to lose myself. It wasnt a bad story. I thought the premise was interesting. Being a comic book fan, I enjoyed the idea of the characters having powers, but it would have been nice to see the powers used a little bit more. It sounds like the powers may play a more key role in later books, so maybe Im just impatient ;) With a romance central to the storys plot, I didnt believe it. Yes, the characters are young and therefore may be forgiven for acting silly, but it still seemed a bit fast to be throwing around the L word after only a few dates. Since this story is obviously going to take up more than one book, I think the romance aspect may have worked better for me if it had been a slower build up across the whole trilogy/series(?). This is also a small nitpick, and maybe its a regional thing, but Shayne spelled like that makes me think of a girls name. Note: I read a free review copy from author

I love it when I find a book that leaves me hankering for more. It was definitely a fun, exciting read that kept me wanting to know whats going to happen next. Im looking forward to the second book in this series and am also planning to explore other books written by this author.

Great Book. I have read a lot of her books, each one just as special as the last. Check her out.

A wonderful second book from this New York Times Best Selling Author! I wouldnt be surprised if we see this one in the Times spotlight as well before long. I must confess to my initial feeling of confusion during the first couple of chapters and point of view changes. I struggled to grasp who was who and when and where things were happening. But that feeling was quickly overcome as the story grabbed my attention and refused to let go. I thought the story had great pace, terrific and believable plot, realistic and tangible characters, and just enough romance to make me aaww and not enough to make me gaak! I love a good set of power-hungry nemeses. Very dynamic. I personally was concerned when I heard Victorine Lieskes next book was not going to be a Mystery Romance but more of a Sci-fi Romance. Im not usually a big Sci-fi reader. But this book was not overwhelming with alien jargon or lacking in the intrigue I found so enjoyable in Not What She Seems. I was pleasantly surprised all the way around. Those willing to risk trying something a just a little different wont be disappointed. And lastly, I love that the ending could be, just conclusive enough, for those who would like to read only one book in the series and call it quits, and yet is open enough for those of us left pressing the next page button repeatedly on our little Kindles wishing the second installment was already written! I look forward to it with eager fingers.

Ive read several of Victorine Lieskes and this is my least favorite. I like sci-fi and I really like her other books, but the writing in this book felt so choppy and the story just didnt flow for me. I had such a hard time with the story I almost didnt finish this book. There was no character depth and this story ends in a cliffhanger. Content: Completely clean Language: Completely clean Religion: Not at all Overall story: Science fiction romance. This had a lot of potential. Two characters from different worlds meet. Both are misunderstood. One society had super powers. Kind of a cool premise. BUT, as mentioned above theres no meat to the story. Neither the characters nor the story are very well developed. HAPPY READING!

Victorine E. Lieske, author of the romantic suspense novel NOT WHAT SHE SEEMS, changes gears in her sophomore outing ... kind of. While THE OVERTAKING features both romance and suspense, it shifts gears in two important ways: she adopts a science fiction setting for this novel, and due to the age of her characters, the book is likely to attract more of a young-adult audience. THE OVERTAKING is the first novel in a projected series which introduces us to the primary cast of characters. Shayne Bartlett, our main protagonist, is a young member of the Maslonian race, highly gifted with psychic abilities. Yet in short order, Shaynes mother is kidnapped, he joins a ruling council, and then he is kidnapped as well. In his new, post-kidnapping life, where he does not remember his past, he meets Danielle and the two are powerfully drawn to each other. But Danielle is mysterious, a young woman with secrets to hide. Secrets that may affect the future of their budding relationship... and perhaps even the future of Shaynes race. So THE OVERTAKING does have major differences from NOT WHAT SHE SEEMS, in genre, plot, and setting. What has not changed, however, is Lieskes storytelling ability and her capacity for charming readers with the way in which a pair of strangers become a couple. The novel contains echoes of literary and filmed forebears. Some of the SF concepts will ring familiar to those whove read Phillip K. Dicks WE CAN DREAM IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE, while other aspects could remind filmgoers of the Bill Murray-Andie McDowell rom-com, GROUNDHOG DAY. Yet through it all, the story elements blend into a finished product that is distinctly of Lieskes own making. While readers of NOT WHAT SHE SEEMS, which took place in a recognizably realistic world, may feel some need for adjustment to the new setting, the primarily strengths of Lieskes storytelling remain consistent and recognizable in this new entry. One element that is new is that THE OVERTAKING is part of a series. Readers of NOT WHAT SHE SEEMS enjoyed that novels strong sense of possessing a beginning, a middle, and an end. While THE OVERTAKING possess a strong beginning and an entertaining middle, the sense of ending isnt as strong as in NOT WHAT SHE SEEMS because the overall story is not complete. When the final page of NOT WHAT SHE SEEMS was turned, there was a sense that the tale of Steven Ashton and Emily Grant was over, at least dramatically. With THE OVERTAKING, there is a sense of resolution to many plot elements, but also a certain knowledge that more challenges lay ahead for Shayne, Danielle, and those around them. Fortunately, Lieskes novel ends on a story beat that delivers a sense of resolution, even as new threats and challenges await on the horizon. This is superior to some YA series novels, which often seem to end too abruptly, at a moment in which the author hit a pre-set word count and didnt want to write more words per installment than necessary. While I wont spoil the nature of THE OVERTAKINGs closing action here, I will at least say that the story beat on which the novel ends will not leave readers feeling like the book went to commercial and never came back. Will THE OVERTAKING leave readers ready for the next installment? Almost certainly. Yet even as the further adventures of the cast Lieske introduces here are of interest, this novel stands, at minimum, as a satisfying read in and of itself as well. Well done.

From the first page, this is one of the most riveting science fiction works Ive read in a long time. Sounds corny, but I really couldnt stop reading until Id finished. People are involved in a major planet-wide deception and are losing their freedoms. Memories are re-wired repeatedly. Just when the main characters are discovering more of the truth about how theyve been deceived, theyre caught and have their memories wiped/changed. Trusted people turn out to be villains who are robbing this planet and turning it into a wasteland. I cant wait until the next book comes out! :)

I am surprised how much I enjoyed this. Ive been reading all of Lieskes work lately as everything shes written has been interesting, well written and satisfying. I put off reading this because although I enjoy scifi I wasnt sure Id enjoy this...but I really do and cant wait for the next book to come out. Highly recommend!

This story has a very good pace and doesnt get sidetracked in too much detail or backstory, it just dives right in to the conflict. The interpersonal character dynamics were good. It kept my interest until the end, and was written in an easy-to-read style.

I was organizing my kindle and accidentally clicked this story open. The words captured my attention and reminded me of the teaser called